I often say now I don't have any choice whether or not I have Parkinson's, but surrounding that non-choice is a million other choices that I can make.
Interpretation
Although I can't change my condition, I have the power to make choices in my life.
This quote by Michael J. Fox highlights the importance of perspective when faced with challenges. While he acknowledges the inevitability of his Parkinson's diagnosis, he emphasizes that there remains a multitude of choices he can make to lead a fulfilling life despite his circumstances. This distinction encourages individuals to focus on how they respond to their situations rather than being overwhelmed by what they cannot control.
In practice
This quote can be used in a motivational speech about overcoming adversity.
I find as long as I acknowledge the truth of something, then that's it. I know what it is and then I can operate. But if I overestimate the downside of something or the challenge of something and I get too obsessed about the difficulty of it, then I don't leave enough room to be open to the upside, the possibility.
My whole life, meeting people is like a blind date, because I feel like they've already seen the video on me.
There are no moments you have frozen in amber. It's moving, it's changing, so appreciate what's good about right now and be ready for what's next.
There's always failure. And there's always disappointment. And there's always loss. But the secret is learning from the loss, and realizing that none of those holes are vacuums.
Certainly people have a lot tougher situations than I've had to deal with. But I will say we are all dying from the moment we are born. This is not just rehearsal.
I'm a dad, I'm a husband, I'm an activist, I'm a writer and I'm just a student of the world.
Stuttering is painful. In Sunday school, I'd try to read my lessons, and the children behind me were falling on the floor with laughter.
Please be peaceful. We believe in law and order. We are not advocating violence, I want you to love your enemies... for what we are doing is right, what we are doing is just -- and God is with us.
But what of black women?... I most sincerely doubt if any other race of women could have brought its fineness up through so devilish a fire.
Violence will prevail over violence, only when someone can prove to me that darkness can be dispelled by darkness
I'm not used to crying. It's a little difficult. All my life I've had to fight. It's just another fight I'm going to have to learn how to win, that's all. I'm just going to have to keep smiling.
Now I have a third must-do on my list of things to do with cancer, and it's this: follow your gut, ask questions, don't be complacent.
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